Rivals

Back to Finish What We Started

Vignettes about everyday life expressed through assaulting punk

Record Label: None
Release Year: 2006
Rivals Homepage

Rivals are indeed back to finish what they started with their fifth release (counting demos.) This 5 song E.P. showcases a staple to the local scene and is able to capture the raw energy and positive attitude that pours right out of the band. If you've been fortunate to catch them live, this E.P. certainly does them justice. Rivals is comprised of four members: Zack Alves on guitar, Tom Jordan on bass guitar, Jim Ascevedo on drums, and their Iggy Pop meets James Brown (taken from their website), front man, Matt Reed. Rivals have toured with the likes of The Dickies and TSOL, and they have played LA's Viper Room, and The Hard Rock Cafe in Denver. Vocally and musically I am reminded of so many hybrid acts that have crossbred the energy of both punk and alternative music. This music is, for lack of a better term, fun. Matt Reed's voice takes me back to Dennis Lyxzen in The Refused. The E.P. kicks off with the single, "Brick by Brick," with the drums double-time beat; Matt utters the lyric which is that of the album title. If I had to pick a favorite track, it would be in fact, "Brick by Brick," because of its sheer raw energy, although, the track, "A Song No one Wants to Hear," is a perfect sum up of the band. A mid-tempo style climbs a mountain of potential energy and then dives right into mass amounts of what I like to call controlled-chaos, followed by that constant punk beat that San Jose craves. What's even better? The band is offering this album as a free download, right here, on BAScene.com, and yes, that means you can share it with your friends, too.

Review By Andy Smyth